Celebrating my Birthday

I celebrated my birthday on the 17th of October. My husband and kids got me an awesome fleece Iowa State blanket. I snuggle up with it each night when I am in my recliner. I also got a paraffin wax warmer for my hands. This will come in really handy this winter when my skin is so dry.

We went up to Will's parents house the following weekend. We had a great time catching up and playing games. I am really looking forward to the week of Christmas. They all have the week off and so does Will and the kids. We are planning on spending a few days up there just hanging out and playing games. We are so lucky to be close to our parents and siblings.

And here is our adorable Emily. I just had to share it because she is so dang cute! Grandpa is helping her rock on the rocking horse. Isn't she getting big?

Flag Football

Brodie and Drew participated in a mini flag football session. Every Saturday for 4 weeks they met up at the high school field and practiced. Will helped coach. He loves practicing with the kids although he has never helped with this young of a team. Teaching 5 and 6 year olds can be a bit challenging as well as entertaining. It was usually a bit of a cluster but the boys seemed to have a pretty good time, especially Brodie. He is really into football.

On the last day of practice they had a short scrimmage. Drew was on the green team and was #6 and Brodie was on the yellow team and was #3. No one really knew what they were doing but it was still fun to watch.Drew is number 6. The coach is giving him some directions.
It's a little difficult to see but Brodie is the one with his hand on the ball. He actually did a pretty good job. He loves to play in the back yard with Jake so he at least knew what was going on most of the time.
I had to snap this picture of Jake and Tony. Jake is holding Emily. It isn't very often that these two spend time together just hanging out and talking.

This is Brodie. He's sound asleep in his bed. The pink and purple blanket he has wrapped around him is actually my robe. He loves to snuggle with it. He says it's soft and smells like me. He loves me.

Sometimes I get wrapped up thinking about what all needs to be done. Yard work, house work, baking, cleaning, organizing. Sometimes I forget that I have 5 children who all love me. They all need my attention. They all want me to sit and listen to them tell me about their day. Sometimes I forget to listen. Sometimes I tune them out. Sometimes all I want is a little peace and quiet.

But these children won't be children very long. Jake is already 15. In less than 4 years he might be out of the house. Tony wants attention. He needs attention. He just wants someone to listen and hug him. Brodie is in school already. He is realizing there is more out there than just mom and Dad and his siblings. He wants to play with his friends but he still wants his parents close. It won't always be like that. Drew just wants me to do something with him, anything, he doesn't care. He just likes to spend time with me. And then there is the baby. I am her whole world for now, but that won't last either.

I asked my husband the other day if he thought we were being the best parents we could be. We certainly try. Some days more than others. There is always room for improvement. I just need to learn to slow down. Enjoy the moment. Feel good about my role and be the best mom I can be.

I hope my children always remember how much I love them. I want them to know that I did my best and I would do anything, anything to protect them and keep them safe.

There will always be chores. The house will always need tiding and the laundry folded. My kids won't always be kids. They won't always chose me first when it comes to playing, or give me play dough hot dogs and fries for lunches. They won't always want to sleep in my robe just because it's comfy and smells like me.

Random Thoughts

I just got back from my podiatrist apt. It has been 2 weeks since my surgery. The doctor took x-rays and thought everything looked good. The screw is well placed and my toe looks pretty straight on the film. She took my bandage and steri strips off and that felt so much better. It is still pretty painful. It looks strange to see my big bump gone. It is bruised and swollen right now so it is hard to say exactly how it will look when it is completely healed.

I also heard back from my family doctor this week. I had my thyroid levels checked again and they were dramatically better. 6 weeks ago I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. I was feeling horrible, extreme fatigue, weight gain, and my stomach hated me every time I ate anything. Blood tests showed that my thyroid wasn't functioning like it should so I was started on medication. My levels are much better but are still not considered normal so we are increasing my dose.

I actually feel a lot better. Within this last week or so I have finally started to get some energy back. My stomach is feeling a lot better as well.

Now if I could speed up the healing process on my foot all would be right again. On the bright side at least I don't have to wrap my foot in a baggie anymore before taking a shower. And I should be able to start driving again here soon.

Emily Joy 11 Months - 2 Weeks Away From Turning 1!

In 2 weeks this little girl will turn 1!! This year has gone by way too fast. She is the happiest little girl. We have been very lucky to have such a wonderful baby.
Here are her stats. At her last doctor apt, which was 10 days ago (poor girl had another ear infection) she weighed 19 lbs 14 oz. She has hit a serious growth spurt this last couple months. She was eating as much food as the boys for a couple weeks straight. She has finally slowed down a bit and isn't packing away the food as much. She currently has 8 teeth. See them below? She likes to show them off.
We stopped nursing about a month ago. She was weaning herself plus I had to go on some medication for my thyroid so it was a good time to stop.
She is walking now. She started standing up when she was 8 months old. I thought for sure she would walk by 9 months but she didn't. When she stands up her feet are pretty far apart so those first couple steps are a little wobbly. This last couple weeks she has really gotten the hang of it though and is walking pretty good now.
She has been sleeping all night and usually takes 2 naps during the day. They aren't very long but that's ok. She does really well with bedtime. She usually knows when it is time for sleep and will wave bye bye to everyone.
I have been trying to plan her birthday party. I have to rework my brain. I have planned 38 boys birthdays and cakes and now I have to plan my first girl birthday party and cake. I am sure it will include lots of pink!

11 Months Old

Brodie Michael FigginsDrew Henry Figgins
Emily Joy Figgins

Homecoming 2011

Homecoming week was September 26-30th. We had quite a few events during the week. Thursday evening we went to the parade. Jake's football team was in the parade and threw out candy. You can't really see Jake in these pictures because he is on the opposite side. The parade wasn't very long but the kids got lots of candy. It helps having older brothers in school so everyone knows who you are.
I was impressed with Emily. She loved the parade and just sat and watched everyone go by. Even the loud sirens and horns didn't seem to bother her.
Friday was the Homecoming football game. The middle school band joined the High school marching band during halftime. Tony is the one in the middle with the snare drum. He does really well. The only problem is he is so small the drum is hard for him to carry.
He really looks forward to joining the marching band next year.
Saturday night was the Homecoming dance. Jake isn't currently dating anyone so he went with a friend. He met up with another couple and they all went out to dinner before the dance. Of course I didn't get much details but he said they all had a good time.

Bath Time

These pictures were just too cute not to share!

Random Thoughts

As a way for me to organize my blog better I am going to title my blog posts "random thoughts" every time I feel like just writing something. Just thought I would explain that.

I am feeling extremely anxious this morning. It is gloomy, cold and a great day to stay inside and bake something. My foot is pretty sore this morning so I know I should just sit here and keep it up, but that really doesn't sound like fun.

I went to the doctor yesterday for my first post op apt. The Dr thought everything looked good. I was happy to have my dressing taken off, even it was for only 2 minutes. When the nurse pulled the dressing off she also pulled off my steri-strips on my big toe. As she ripped them off I could actually feel and see my incision opening back up. I couldn't believe she actually pulled them off. The doctor stood there and watched and said "well, we will put new strips back on there and we will see you in another week" so he was obviously ok with what she was doing.

I thought I would kick her in the face. It hurt so bad. I have no idea why she took them off. Sigh..anyway I was sore the rest of the night...and now this morning. I have a new dressing on that needs to stay on for another week. I also have to continue to wear my lovely boot for at least another week. I shouldn't be so whiny. I know it will be nice to have this done and actually be able to wear shoes and not have pain. I just hate the recovery part.

Jake has his last home football game tonight. I really want to go. I think I will try and make it to the first half. Then I can take all the kids home and Will can stay and watch the rest. But then there is the hole ride thing since I can't drive. Ugh guess I need to think about that. Ok, better get Brodie ready for school.

Mulberry Picking

Over the summer we spent a few different afternoons out picking mulberries. As a kid I can remember always picking mulberries from the tree in Grandma Fleischackers back yard. That tree is still there and was the source for some of our pickings this year.

We spent one afternoon with my sister and her kids traveling around to some of her hot spots that she forages. All the kids helped pick and did a really good job. No one complained and I think the kids all had a really good time hanging out together.Drew helped pick too, but most, ok all of his berries were eaten before we got them home. We would frequently find him just sitting on the grass eating all the berries he had just put in his bucket.

We thought he looked a lot like the Joker.
Jake, Julie and Sara

With all the mulberries we picked this season I made 18 half pints of jelly. We were also able to freeze some to add into our smoothies.

Random Thoughts

Today was a better day. I am sad to see my husband go back to work tomorrow. He has been amazing (thanks babe). My pain is a lot better although I am a little sore this evening. I might have overdone it a bit this afternoon. I finally got out of the house. Will took his girls to lunch (that sounds funny huh?) and then we rode with him to pick up Drew from pre-school.

This evening he and the boys played football and hide n seek in the backyard. I sat outside and watched. It was nice to just be out in the fresh air. I know, I know, I am whiny. It's only been 4 days. But I hate not being able to run and jump about like I want.

Emily and Drew are better today. Yesterday Will had to take them into the doctor after being up with Emily all night the night before. Poor thing. She was inconsolable. She has a terrible cold and ear infection. Drew has croup but seems to be less barky tonight. Looking forward to tomorrow and hoping everyone is feeling even better.

Random Thoughts

Venting...

Today is starting off sucky. I am day 3 post op for my foot surgery (bunions and straightening of my great toe). I am feeling extremely nauseated and hot. I think alot of it has to do with my pain pills which I am trying to wean myself off of and it isn't working too well.

We had a terrible night. Drew was up coughing most of the night. He has had a cough for a few weeks and now it has turned into croup. Emily was up almost the entire night crying for some unknown reason. She is now completely plugged up and miserable. Will has both children at the doctor as I type. I am so grateful he took today and tomorrow off to stay home and help me recuperate. Who knew it would turn into such an event.

The 2 youngest kids are miserable, I feel sick and my poor husband is living off of no sleep. I am really hating that I can't hop up and help out. I feel like I am ignoring everyone.

Thankfully the 3 middle boys are away at school and it makes it a little quieter around here. Hoping everyone can get some rest this afternoon.

Update

I am extremely behind on blogging for this site. I have been so busy lately that this blog kind of got shoved to the back burner. I am hoping to use this more frequently for updating friends and family with what has been going on.

This blog use to be a place where I shared events and crafts I did with the kids. It will now be more focused as a journal for me to keep track of things that our family has been doing. There are so many things the kids say and do that I want to record. I don't always have time to stop and dig out their baby books and add in these little details but I don't want to forget them either.

My goal is to try and update this blog a couple times a week. I want to keep track of what is going on in our lives and record any special moments that happened throughout the week.

For now I will be posting some pictures and events that happened with in the last few months. I have lots of pictures I want to share so I will be backtracking a little bit.

I used to journal a lot as a child and I really enjoyed it. I am hoping to start that hobby again and record it here. If you want to follow along with me, feel free. Please keep in mind that this will probably be a bit more personal and a way for me to share my feeling and memories.

Brodie's 6th Birthday

We celebrated Brodie's 6th birthday this past weekend. I find it hard to believe he is 6 years old.

Friday was his actual birthday and we all woke up early so he could open his presents and have cinnamon rolls before everyone had to go to school. Daddy took the day off so that was nice having him there for breakfast. The theme this year was Star Wars. He is big into Star Wars and football.We got him 3 sets of Legos for his birthday. The first one he opened and was like "really mom?". Apparently he already had that set. The second set he opened he just kinda looked at it. Will said "didn't you want that one?" and Brodie responded "well, not really." I think he was trying not to hurt our feelings and show that he wasn't disappointed although it wasn't working. You could tell that he was a little bummed.

Finally the third Lego set was a hit and he was way excited. After breakfast Daddy helped him get his Lego set started and finally it was time to go to school.

Sunday we celebrated his birthday at Grandma Mary's and Grandpa Joel's. Grandma and Grandpa Campbell and Grandpa Dave and Grandma Anita all drove up to join the party. The house was full of grandparents.
I decorated Brodie's cake as Janga Fett from Star Wars. This was his request and I wasn't sure I could pull it off. It by all means wasn't perfect but he was happy with it and that's all that matters.